YouTube dominates AI search with 200x citation advantage: Data

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YouTube is cited 200x more than any other video platform in AI search results, according to new data from enterprise SEO platform BrightEdge. YouTube was:

  • Cited 200 times more than any other video platform by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI products.
  • Present across all platforms and essentially the only video source that matters.
    • Competitors barely registered: Vimeo (0.1%), TikTok (0.1%), Dailymotion (0%), Twitch (0%).
  • A top information authority, rivaling Mayo Clinic and Investopedia.

By the numbers. YouTube had a 200x advantage over its nearest rival (Vimeo at 0.1%). Even platforms like Perplexity and ChatGPT, which have no incentive to favor Google properties, overwhelmingly cite YouTube.

  • 20% average YouTube citation share across AI platforms.
  • 29.5% of Google AI Overviews cite YouTube – making it the top domain overall, ahead of Mayo Clinic (12.5%).
  • 100% week-over-week growth for ChatGPT (though off a small base).
  • 32.8% recent dip in AI Overviews citations, but YouTube still dominates.

By platform. Here’s a breakdown of YouTube’s performance across engines:

  • Google AI Overviews: 29.5% citation share, #1 domain, average rank position 6.3.
  • Google AI Mode: 16.6% share, #1 domain, average position 9.7.
  • Perplexity: 9.7% share, #5 domain, 4.8% weekly growth.
  • ChatGPT: 0.2% share, growing fast, average position 5.2.

Where YouTube showed up.

  • Tutorials (finance, software, medical “how-to” content).
  • Pricing, deal hunting, product demos, reviews.
  • Less likely: career advice, strategy, abstract concepts, or pure informational queries.

Why it matters. If your brand isn’t creating video content, you may be invisible in AI search. YouTube isn’t just winning – it’s the only video platform that AI platforms appear to trust.

About the data. BrightEdge analyzed YouTube citation patterns across Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity from May 2024 to September 2025 using its AI Catalyst platform. The study tracked citation rates, platform competition, query types, and week-over-week changes.

BrightEdge’s research. YouTube Optimization Strategies for AI Citations

Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. We remain committed to providing high-quality coverage of marketing topics. Unless otherwise noted, this page’s content was written by either an employee or a paid contractor of Semrush Inc.

About the Author

Danny Goodwin

Danny Goodwin is Editorial Director of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events. Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.

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